Obama pairs designer, affordable pieces for swearing in

First lady Michelle Obama's Inauguration Day outfit is an all-American, high-low, coat-and-dress mix, but it's so cold in Washington you can't see the dress under the coat. Yet.

The first glimpse of her outfit and those of her daughters, Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, came earlier today at an Inauguration Day church service. For the swearing-in she added a belt to the outside of her coat, and changed into black knee-high boots.

The White House said Obama is wearing a navy Thom Browne coat and dress in a reflective fabric and a pattern based on the style of a men's silk tie. Under the coat, she's wearing a cardigan by Reed Krakoff. She has on a sparkly belt from J. Crew over the coat, and earlier had on pale blue kitten-heeled shoes by J. Crew. Her boots were also Reed Krakoff and her wine-colored gloves were J. Crew. Her jewelry is by Cathy Waterman.

First lady Michelle Obama arrives for swearing-in in Thom Browne dress and coat.(Photo: Win McNamee Getty Images)
It was not only an all-American outfit for today's all-American public ceremony, it was a familiar Michelle Obama style strategy in that it mixed high-end (Krakoff) with mall-shop affordable (J. Crew) and proved memorable.

The first lady also chose a navy Krakoff dress on Sunday for the official swearing-in in the Blue Room of the White House. But today's outdoor ceremonies at the Capitol, when the temperature is expected to reach only low 40s, requires a coat.

Malia and Sasha are both clad in coats in shades of purple, violet and plum with complementary tights, gloves and flats.

The White House said Malia is in a J.Crew ensemble, featuring a plum-colored "Lady" coat with a fur-like collar, over a blue "Teddy" dress, according to J.Crew. Sasha is in a Kate Spade New York "Patrice" coat and "Carolyn" dress, according to the designer's New York office. Photographers caught a glimpse of Sasha's purple-and-violet striped dress as she exited St. John's Church earlier today after the service.